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About NUI Galway

Since 1845, NUI Galway has been sharing the highest quality teaching and research with Ireland and the world. Find out what makes our University so special – from our distinguished history to the latest news and campus developments.

Biography:

Saoirse Nic Gabhainn is a Senior Lecturer in Health Promotion and Project Leader in the Health Promotion Research Centre and the World Health Organisation Collaborative Centre for Health Promotion Research. She has degrees in Psychology and Health Promotion from the National University of Ireland, Galway and the University of Nottingham, England and is both a Chartered Psychologist and a Chartered Scientist.

She is responsible for research programmes in schools health promotion and among young people, and has published widely in the field of child and adolescent health, with a focus on risk (primarily drugs and sexual health) and protective (primarily social support and social network) behaviours, adolescent health inequalities, and child participation in the research process. She has conducted a number of evaluations of school health promotion in Ireland and belongs to the wider Schools for Health in Europe network (see:www.schoolsforhealth.eu).

Since 1994 she has been Principal Investigator for Ireland with the international Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) network, serving on the Scientific Development Group, the International Co-ordinating Committee and chairing topic-based focus groups such as that on Risk Behaviour and Sexual Health. The Irish HBSC research team in NUI Galway has specific expertise in a wide range of health related behaviours, youth engagement, disadvantaged and vulnerable youth and the application of Geographic Information Systems to child and adolescent health. For further details on the HBSC project and the team members, and to download papers, reports factsheets and short reports from HBSC see www.nuigalway.ie/hbsc.

Saoirse has taught across all of the programmes offered by the Discipline of Health Promotion, with a focus on research methods and statistics well as schools health promotion and mental health and social wellbeing. She supervises research students at PhD level on a range of topics, which currently include: Health Promoting Schools (Yetunde John-Akinola), the implementation of Relationships and Sexuality Education (Christina Murphy), the role of research in adolescent health-related policy development (Helen Grealish), the experience of persisting with breastfeeding (Teresa Meaney) and sex workers experience of the health services (Leigh-Ann Sweeney). She sits on the Graduate Research Committees of a range of other PhD students and is currently Director of Post-graduate Research.Programmes for the School of Health Sciences.

Research Interests

Health and Health Behaviour in Childhood and Adolescence

Women’s Health

School Health Promotion

Parenting Practices and Parenting Education

Translating Health Promotion Research into Policy and Practice

Methodologies for Health Promotion Research

Research Interests

Primary research interests include health behaviour and contexts of health for children and young people, methodolgical developments in health promotion research, youth settings for health promotion (including schools, families and local neighbourhoods), and Participative Research Processes (PRP). My early research career was diverse in terms of
the methods employed and issues explored. Following my permanent appointment to
the University I have worked to build up a research team that is collaborative,
multidisciplinary, health promoting, productive and driven by a set of mutually
agreed principles.

My current team includes seven researchers and five PhD
students. We work in close proximity and share tasks, creating a busy and
vibrant atmosphere where creativity and precision are equally valued.
Creativity is essential in conceptualising the research problem, ways of
collaborating and in developing methodologies, but precision is required in
data collection, analysis and documenting research practice. We focus on youth
health promotion, and I have special interests and internationally recognised
expertise in risk behaviours and sexual behaviour, disability
and vulnerable children (including migrants and travellers),
diet and nutrition, schools
health promotion, child
participation in the research process and equity and policy translation.

Molcho, M., Kelly, K. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2010) 'Deficits in health and well-being among immigrant children in Ireland: the explanatory role of social capital'. Translocation: Migration And Social Change, 6 (1). [Details]

Nic Gabhainn, S. & François, Y. (2000) 'Health and health behaviour among young people: reported smoking among school children in Europe and North America' Interaction: the European Network on Young People and Tobacco 13 (11) . [Details]

Conference Publications

Brady, B., Nic Gabhainn, S., Canavan, J., Gaweski, J. (2014) ‘Here you feel more comfortable to talk’: An evaluation of Foroige’s REAL U: Relationships Explored and Life Uncovered programme What’s Working for Young People International Conference [Details]

Nic Gabhainn, S. (2014) Patterns in the commercialisation and sexualisation of young people in Ireland Commerialisation and Sexualisation of Children [Details]

Nic Gabhainn, S. (2014) Research and policy; models, experiences and challenges Children’s Research Network of Ireland and Northern Ireland conference Real-World Research in Challenging Times [Details]

Grealish, H. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2013) How does research impact on health policy in the area of children and youth affairs? 17th Annual Health Promotion Conference Health in All Policies: Strengthening Multisectoral Health Promotion in an Irish Context. Galway [Details]

Nic Gabhainn, S., Clarke, N., Byrne, M. & Sixsmith, J. (2010) A participatory approach to increasing active commuting to school among children: who should do what International Union of Health Promotion and Education World Conference Geneva, Switzerland, [Details]

Molcho, M., Kelly, C. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2010) Perceptions of local area as predictors of injury and physical activity among schoolchildren in Ireland World Conference for Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion London, England, [Details]

Molcho, M., Kelly, C. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2010) Health and well-being of migrant children in Ireland: the role of social capital International Union of Health Promotion and Education World Conference Geneva, Switzerland, [Details]

Molcho, M., Kelly, C. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2010) Perceptions of local area as predictors of injury and physical activity among schoolchildren in Ireland International Union of Health Promotion and Education World Conference Geneva, Switzerland, [Details]

Gavin, A., Sentenac, Molcho, M., Godeau, E. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2009) Bullying behaviours among children with and without disabilities and chronic illnesses: a comparison between Ireland and France Psychology, Health and Medicine, Annual Meeting of the Division of Health Psychology of the Psychological Society of Ireland Dublin, [Details]

Von Ehrenstein, O., Sundaram, R., Nansel, T. , Nic Gabhainn, S. & Ianotti, R. (2008) Self-reported child hunger in relation to socio-economic status in the US and across 36 countries in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study Annual Joint Conference of the International Society for Environmental Epidemiology and the International Society of Exposure Analysis Pasadena, CA, [Details]

Gavin, A., Molcho, M., Kelly, C. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2008) Using relationships to predict levels of substance use among adolescents: differences between sustained and experimental use Psychology, Health and Medicine, Annual Conference of the Division of Health Psychology, Psychological Society of Ireland and the British Psychological Society Derry, [Details]

Sixsmith, J. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2007) Power through process: an exploration of participatory research with children 19th IUHPE World Conference on Health Promotion and Health Education Health Promotion Comes of Age: Research, Policy & Practice for the 21st Century Vancouver, [Details]

Sixsmith,J;Nic Gabhainn,S;Kelleher,C (2007) The use of fear appeals; a policy context 19th IUHPE World Conference: health promotion comes of age: research, policy and practice for the 21st century Vancouver, Canada, [Details]

Nic Gabhainn, S. & Kelleher, C. (2000) The Family Affluence Scale as a proxy for adolescent inequality: national and International comparisons 18th All Ireland Social Medicine Meetin Cavan, [Details]

Nic Gabhainn, S. & Kelleher, CC. (2000) Social inequality in adolescence: associations with accident and injury data Youth and the Promise of the New Millennium: International Conference on Adolescent Health London, UK, [Details]

Nic Gabhainn, S. & Kelleher, CC. (2000) The relationships between social class, social relationships and indicators of mental health among Irish school children Mental Health Promotion: Perspectives and Practices Galway, [Details]

Nic Gabhainn, S., Kelleher, C. & Murphy, A. (2000) The characteristics of General Practice in Ireland: structure, services and aspirations Annual Scientific Meeting of the University Departments of General Practice in Ireland Dublin, [Details]

Mullally, M., Donovan, D. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (1997) The effect of a community arts project on self esteem and attainments in National school children the 5th European Congress of Psychology Dublin, [Details]

Mullally, M., Donovan, D. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (1997) The effect of a community arts project on self-esteem and attainments in national school children Annual Conference of the Psychological Society of Ireland Ennis, [Details]

Nic Gabhainn, S. & Kelleher, C. (1997) Health Promoting School Principles in Ireland; the use of the Questionnaire for Health Promoting Schools The 1st European Conference of the Network of Health Promoting Schools Thessolonikki, Greece, [Details]

Sullivan, L. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2013) Physical activity and behaviours: a special analysis of the HBSC survey as part of the implementation of the National Strategy for Research and Data on Children's Lives, 2011-2016. Department of Children and Youth Affairs, Dublin. [Details]

Callaghan, M. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2013) Appendix 1: Nutrition behaviours and outcomes: a special analysis of the HBSC survey as part of the implementation of the National Strategy for Research and Data on Children's Lives, 2011-2016. Department of Children and Youth Affairs, Dublin. [ARAN Link] [Details]

Gavin, A., Kelly, C., Nic Gabhainn, S. (2011) Key issues for conisderation in the development of a Data Strategy for Children in Ireland: a review of the literature. Department of Children and Youth Affairs, Dublin. [Details]

Felzman,H;Sixsmith,J;O'Higgins,S;Ni Chonnachtaigh,S;Nic Gabhainn,S (2010) Ethical review and children's research in Ireland. Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dublin. [Details]

Brooks, A.M., Hanafin, S., Kearns, N., Molcho, M., Nic Gabhainn, S., & Pursell, L. (2010) Ireland: the socio-environmental context of child well-being and the involvement of children in the development of a national set of well-being indicators. WHO Regional Office for Europe, Copehhagen, Denmark. [Details]

Brooks, A.M., Hanafin, A., Kearns, N., Molcho, M., Nic Gabhainn, S., Pursel, L. (2010) The socio-environmental context of child well-being and the involvement of children in the development of national set of well-being indicators. Socio-environmentally determined health inequities among children and adolescents. Denmark:World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe, Copenhagen. [Details]

Nic Gabhainn, S., Sixsmith, J. (2004) A review of the literature on the effectiveness of mass media approaches for drug prevention and harm reduction. National Advisory Committee on Drugs, Dublin. [Details]

Gabhainn SN, Murphy AW, Kelleher C. (2002) Secondary prevention of heart disease: a baseline survey of patients' lifestyles and service provision in the North Western and Western Health Boards. Research and Development Report, Department of General Practice, National University of Ireland, Galway. Centre for Health Promotion Studies, Galway. [Details]

Nic Gabhainn, S. & Kelleher, C. (2000) General Practice in Ireland: A census survey of General Practitioners in Ireland. Irish College of General Practitioners, the Irish Medical Organisation and the Department of Health, Dublin. [Details]

Molcho, M., Nic Gabhainn, S. (2006) State of the nation's child: the contribution of survey data. Office of the Minister for Children, Department of Health and Children, Dublin. Non Published Reports [Details]

Bourke, H., Nic Gabhainn, S. (2005) HBSC Ireland: contribution to the national set of well-being indicators for children. National Children’s Office, Department of Health and Children, Dublin. Non Published Reports [Details]

Technical Publication

Clarke, N, & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2012) HBSC Ireland: workshop to access young people’s opinions of the findings of the 2010 HBSC survey. Short Report from the Health Promotion Research Centre, National University of Ireland, Galway. Technical Publication [Details]

Doyle, P., Molcho, M. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2009) HBSC Ireland: age related patterns in alcohol consumption and cannabis use among Irish children between 1998-2006. Short report to the Health Research Board. Galway: Technical Publication [Details]

Doyle, P. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2009) HBSC Ireland: Self-reported health among children from the Travelling Community. Short report for School of Public Health and Population Sciences, University College Dublin. Galway: Technical Publication [ARAN Link] [Details]

Brennan, G. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2008) Substance use among 15-16 year olds in the HBSC Ireland sample. Short report to the Educational Research Centre, St. Patrick's College, Drumcondra and the Department of Health & Children. Galway: Technical Publication [Details]

Gavin, A., Nic Gabhainn, S. (2008) The contribution of HBSC Ireland to the National Report of the State of the Nation’s Children. Office of the Minister for Children, Department of Health and Children, Government of Ireland. Galway: Technical Publication [Details]

Gavin, A., de Roiste, A., Nic Gabhainn, S. (2008) HBSC Ireland: age related patterns in alcohol consumption among Irish Schoolchildren. Short Report to the National Youth Council of Ireland. Galway: Technical Publication [Details]

Molcho, M., Gavin, A., Nic Gabhainn, S. (2008) HBSC Ireland: cannabis and volatile substance use between 1998 and 2006. Short Report to the Alcohol and Drug Research Unit of the Health Research Board, Ireland. Technical Publication [Details]

Bourke, H. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2005) Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs for 15-17 year olds: data from the Irish HBSC study. Short Report to the Public Health Department of the HSE Western Region. Galway: Technical Publication [Details]

Nic Gabhainn, S. (2004) Health behaviour in school aged children in the South Western Area Health Board: implications for policy and practice. Technical Publication [Details]

Unpublished work

Burke, L., O’Donnell, A., McGovern, O. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2013) Involving post-primary schoolchildren in the development of questions for use in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study: HBSC and Department of Children and Youth Affairs. Unpublished work [Details]

Burke, L., O’Donnell, A., McGovern, O. & Nic Gabhainn, S (2013) Involving primary schoolchildren in the development of questions for use in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study: HBSC and Department of Children and Youth Affairs. Unpublished work [Details]

Burke, L., O’Donnell, A., McGovern, O. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2013) Involving Post-primary School-children in the Development of Questions for use in the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study - question review and testing: HBSC and Department of Children and Youth Affairs. Unpublished work [Details]

Clarke, N. & Nic Gabhainn, S. (2012) Participative research process with schoolchildren: what do they want to know about health?. [Oral Presentation], 2012 European Conference on Educational Research - the need for educational research to champion freedom, education and development for all, Cadiz , 01-SEP-12 - 01-SEP-12.

Teaching Interests

I teach across a range of pre- under- and post-graduate courses in health promotion. These include specialist certificates in Youth Health, Bachelors degrees in Children's Studies, Health and Safety and Medicine and Post-graduate programmes in Health Promotion and Health and Safety and Ergonomics, and regularly make contributions to other teaching programmes such as the Masters in Lifecourse Studies.